Carmelite priest (ca. 1428-1495)
His life
+ Bartholomew was born in Mantua, Italy. He entered the Carmelite Order when he was seventeen years old.
+ While he was serving as the spiritual director and rector of the “Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” he composed a rule and statutes for the movement. During this time, he also served his own community as novice master.
+ He became a spiritual teacher of the Carmelite priest Blessed John Baptist Spagnuolo, a poet and writer who also served as prior-general of the Carmelite Order.
+ Bartholomew was a noted preacher and healer, known for his devotion to the Eucharist. He died in 1495 and devotion to him was confirmed by Pope Saint Pius X in 1909.
For prayer and reflection
“For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.”—Titus 2:11-12
Spiritual bonus
Today is also the commemoration of Saint Crispina. This wife and mother was martyred for her faith in Thebeste (in modern-day Tunisia) in 304. It seems that Saint Augustine of Hippo had devotion for Crispina and he often mentioned her in his homilies on the martyrs.
Prayer
Lord God,
you made Blessed Bartholomew Fanti outstanding in his zeal for devotion to the eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
May we experience in this regard the same fullness of spirit that was his.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Carmelite Sacramentary)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...